Guild Wars 2

So I hit 80 recently as a Thief, he’s my first 80 woohoo!
But I die way too easy and PVE takes too long for me.

My current trait build is: 0/30/0/25/15, and I pretty much only ever use shortbows combined with caltrops from traits and the skill in order to kite and kill guys.

I suck at Thief, but I love them.

So I have a few questions you guys might be able to help me out with.

1: What trait build is good in PVE? I like my current one, but I could try something different. I’ve heard D/P and D/D are pretty good weapon combinations, what commonly used trait build goes with those weapon sets?

2: I see a lot about stealth, but outside of shadow refuge in PVE in order to escape, I never use it. How is it so powerful and necessary in PVE, and more to the point, how do you actually activate it go into it?

3: What gear is considered the best for Thieves in terms of a balance between PVE survivability and damage dealing potential? I’ve heard Berzerker gear thrown around a lot, but Knights gear seems pretty decent too?

What type of thief should focus on each stat, and why?

Any help is much appreciated, I’d love to get better at Thief, I’ve already read a few guides, but they haven’t helped me figure out more than the absolute basics.

Thanks!

Hey, I’m a new player and looking to join an active and fun roleplay guild. As well as active, it’s nice to get to know people in character and out of character, so if there is a lot of that, that’s also nice.

I’d also hope the guild I would join holds literacy to be important. As well, I hope the guild I join polices people (gently) to keep people from becoming Mary Sues/Gary Stus.

I hope to hear from you soon!